Ukraine’s New Government to Expand Domestic Arms Production to Meet Half of Military Needs in Six Months

Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade recruits train at the polygon in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025

A new Ukrainian government, expected to be confirmed Thursday, is setting an ambitious goal to produce 50% of the country’s weapons domestically within the next six months, amid growing uncertainty over future Western military aid. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the target in a national address Wednesday night, emphasizing the urgent need to ramp up production to counter Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Currently, Ukrainian defense manufacturing contributes nearly 40% of the military’s arsenal. Zelenskyy stated that increasing that figure is essential for pushing the war back into Russian territory. “What we need is greater capacity to push the war back onto Russia’s territory — back to where the war was brought from,” he said. “We must reach the level of 50% Ukrainian-made weapons within the first six months of the new government’s work.”

The urgency comes as Russia intensifies its summer offensive, launching widespread drone, cruise, and ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. With Western countries facing delays and limitations in weapons shipments, Ukraine’s focus on self-sufficiency in arms production has become a critical part of its national defense strategy.

Ukraine’s bid for defense autonomy is underscored by delays in promised U.S.-made weapons systems, especially the Patriot missile defense systems essential for Ukraine’s overstretched air defenses. While U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to the transfer, the systems will be funded by European allies.

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, confirmed Thursday that preparations for the transfer of weapons, including Patriots, are underway. Speaking at a military event in Wiesbaden, Germany, Grynkewich said he had received orders to move the equipment as swiftly as possible, though the exact number of systems remains classified.

“We’re already in preparation phase for the first tranche of capability to start moving with respect to Patriots,” Grynkewich said. German Defense Ministry spokesperson Mitko Müller added that specific details about the systems and timelines are still under negotiation, and no shipments have begun yet.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking in Washington on Monday, said coordination is ongoing between allies to fund and deliver the necessary military support to Ukraine. Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada have already pledged contributions, with more expected.

Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to strike Russian targets using its domestically developed long-range drones. In retaliation, Russian air defenses reported the destruction of 122 Ukrainian drones overnight. The wave of attacks disrupted flights at Moscow and St. Petersburg airports, with most drones intercepted over the Bryansk and Kursk border regions.

As Ukraine navigates the dual challenge of maintaining defense readiness and expanding its arms industry, the formation of the new government is expected to play a crucial role in executing these wartime priorities.